Ray and Naeemah Polhill, of Westminster Avenue, and their five children were away from home when their house caught fire Feb. 9. No one was injured because Ray was away at his job as a Newark corrections officer and Naeemah, a teacher with the Willingboro district, was out with the kids. The home and most of the family's belongings were destroyed, however.

"It's devastating," said Jamie Soper of the Oak Valley Community and Athletic Association. "They lost everything."

Soper took charge of getting donations for the family almost by accident. She was driving home when she got a phone call about a fire in her neighborhood. Instead of going back to her house, she drove immediately to the Polhill's home. The community association's clubhouse was taking clothing donations for the family a few hours later.

The Polhill's most immediate need is cash. Neighbors have already provided the family with some clothes, but the Polhills are currently paying for one of their sons' medications on their own after the insurance company refused to foot the bill. Two of the children also lost pairs of eyeglasses in the fire. So far, a GoFundMe online donation page has raised nearly $3,000 to help with medical and living expenses.

Since the family plans to rent a home in the area for the time being, they also need pots, pans and general household items. Because the family's children, RJ, 9; Noah, 7; Imani, 6; Miles, 2; and Eva, 1, are all below the age of 10, donations of toys are welcome as well. The boys like dinosaur toys, and the girls like princesses. The children also like Angry Birds and SpongeBob-themed toys.

"They're doing well," Soper said of the children. "They're ready to go back to school. But they realize everything is gone."

The Oak Valley Community and Athletic Association will take donations for the Polhills at the organization's clubhouse, 518 Princeton Blvd., Wenonah, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, from noon to 2 p.m. Sunday and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday.